Yesterday is Here: A Stroll Down Platte Avenue

Almost every city has something like it: a continuous strip of asphalt and concrete lined with old hotels, used car dealers, tinsel streamers, bars that open at 8 a.m., pawn shops and hand-painted signs. In Colorado Springs it’s Platte Avenue. It used to be an extension of Highway 24, the main road into town from the East, and many of the businesses and signs are leftovers from the mid-20th Century before the Interstates. Nowadays it’s still a thoroughfare, mostly, for folks on their way between downtown and the eastern suburbs. There’s no question the stretch is depressed even in good times, and thus tend to get overlooked. But we thought we’d have a look-see at what was left the visually rich remnants of its bygone culture.

Great photos, however, wonder why the Black Sheep was not included, nor, since you got close enough with the RV lots toward the east end of Platte, the memorial to tow truck operator Mr. Allen Rose?
Thanks for opportunity to comment.

–>> Depressing, maybe.. growing up around here as my pop n’ ma always had business over in this area over the years.

Ironic that i’ve been stuck living here for over a decade now. A love/hate relationship with this section of a city i already have a long-standing love/hate relationship with anyway ..

thanks for these scenes.

Maybe a nice little “depressing” trip down Platte from outside the KRCC studios makes for a nice little slideshow.

But these scenes are part of every single %$^@#’n day around here in a very “colourful” area to say the least. With it’s bumps, quirks, and hidden charms.. and difficult imperfection – whether i like it or not — it’s home.